Modeling the effect of a electric field on the dynamics of calcium ions in calcium ion channel

Abstract

Calcium channels are cell membrane proteins that play an important role in control the Ca ion flux through the membrane. In this study, the effect of external constant electric field on the dynamics of calcium ions in a L-type channel, located within a stochastically fluctuating medium, is modeled via the application of the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. The obtained results show that application of constant field of 0.03 V/nm did not show significant effect on the ions motion. On the other hand, when the channel is exposed to a constant electric field of strength 0.3 V/nm, the ions directional motion along the applied field is observed. Furthermore, it is found that no net motion is observed when the field direction is changed.

Keywords

• Calcium channel
• Electric field
• Molecular dynamics simulation
• Calcium Ion